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Page 6 Essent is at the forefront of renewable energy Sustainability always high on Essent agenda; part of our mission and corporate core values Why are we active in renewable energy? Environmental and social responsibility, minimize environmental burden (e.g. CO2 emissions) Security of supply and fuel mix diversification Added value from profitable renewable energy activities Inventor of “Groene Stroom” (1995) and market leader in renewable energy in the Benelux Essent is a first mover, frontrunner and large investor in renewable energy (mainly bio energy and wind) Million kWh

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Page 7 An increase from 15 now to 30% in 2010 of renewable electricity production is possible… fossil production 70% renewable 30% biomass 85% wind 15% but: financial support should be sound - moratorium, agro residues, sustainable bio-oil biomass market should develop towards a fully open commodity market (transparent, sustainable) time to improve is necessary

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Page 11 Conclusion Essent is a major player regarding renewable energy production and can deliver an important contribution to the Dutch R.E. target (~11 TWh in 2010) Essent is seriously concerned about sustainability of biomass fuels therefore: The role of Essent is to… … adopt the principles of Round Table of Sustainable Palm Oil … offer know how in public discussion … cooperate in developing sustainability criteria by government and NGO's … stop the use of biomass fuels once sustainability is poor and cannot be improved … use and further imrove existing sustainability tools Government should then…... remove the moratorium on subsidies for new large scale projects … increase the subsidies for co-firing agro residues and sustainable bio-oil

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Page 12 Appendix

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Page 13 Recommendations n Clear carbon balances needed n Emissions have to be lowered to the level of natural gas power plants n Cascade usage of biomass has priority n Chain responsibility also for bio energy n Sustainable pact for bio energy is needed for public support return

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Page 16 Minimum Demand 2007: Comply with international-legal obligations and local legislation, added with other performance indicators. Obliged reporting when performance indicators do not exist (yet) 2011: Comply with performance indicators and active protection. Performance indicators are being developed based on the reports from phase I. GHG-balance: Net emissions reduction related to fossil reference is at least 30% in 2007 en 50% in 2011 Biodiversity: no violation of valuable ecosystems Competition, prosperity: 2007 insights, 2011 no reduction allowed Welfare: from the beginning strict rules for labor conditions, human rights, social circumstances and integrity Environment: comply to international and EU regulation return

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Page 17 Theses 1.To demand 100% of sustainability today closes the way to develop a global sustainable biomass market 3.The recent adjustments of the MEP-support for large scale bio-energy is an important barrier for the development of a sustainable biomass market 2.When there is no levelled playing field for bio energy in Europe, the Netherlands will not be able to reach the Kyoto goals